2017-18 NBA Regular Season: 10 pleasant surprises

#3 Utah Jazz rise from the ashes

Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have combined to bring success to Utah Jazz

On the 22nd of January, the Utah Jazz lost 90-104 to the Atlanta Hawks to fall to a 19-28 record for the season. Dennis Schroder and Co., comprising probably the worst roster in the NBA, had torched a mediocre Utah defense on the way to what was a rare blowout win.

Skeptics were clamoring for the Jazz to enter the tank race, and indeed it seemed like their front office had a decision on their hands.

They took everyone by surprise, however, beating the Toronto Raptors 98-93 before annihilating the Golden State Warriors 129-99. They have won 28 of their last 33 games and have become the 4th seed in the Western Conference playoff picture to lock up a berth in the postseason.

Ever since Gobert's return, the Jazz have had the best defense in the league, and have conceded in excess of 100 points in only 9 out of their last 36 games.

Despite losing contributors like Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson, they have been unfazed at the offensive end and have actually integrated Jae Crowder into their setup pretty well as their power forward off the bench.

The Jazz, at this point, are the team to avoid in the Western Conference playoffs brackets.